We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Loic Pichot. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Loic below.

Loic, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

Years ago, during a Q&A, a woman in her 60s asked a casting director if it was too late for her to start acting. The casting director’s reply was a game-changer for me: “You’re still breathing, aren’t you?” My fear of starting late in the industry went away that day.

I was raised on a farm in the French countryside. I imagine it sounds idyllic to many. While I cherish those memories now, back then, my mind was already buzzing with dreams of entertainment, and I didn’t like the idea of being so far from it.

My parents never pressured me or my siblings to keep the family tradition alive with a career in farming. This was a blessing, because I didn’t have a lot of interest in it, nor was I good at it. I moved to Paris for engineering school, which became my gateway to exploring various creative avenues.

My journey to authenticity was a bit of a comedy. While most boys my age were into soccer, I was choreographing dances to Kylie Minogue hits. I even tried soccer once, and interestingly, the club shut down the next year—I can’t help but wonder if there’s a connection. My attempt at farming ended with a tractor stuck in the mud. Amidst a community of traditional heteronormative paths, I felt the pressure to conform.

It took me time to get back to my true self: acting on stage at 20, having my first boyfriend at 21, taking my first acting class at 23, coming out to my family at 28, writing my short film at 36, directing it at 37, and starting standup at 38.

I did this while pursuing a fulfilling corporate career, now in the entertainment industry, where I’ve honed invaluable skills for filmmaking—from project and team management to budgeting. And vice versa. Standup helps so much with public speaking in corporate settings. And who says corporate life can’t inspire comedy? I have so many ideas for a workplace sitcom. Disclaimer: All of my future productions are works of fiction.

My path may have been unconventional, but it’s been incredibly enriching. It shaped me as a filmmaker, writer, comedian, and individual. The pace at which you realize your first creative projects doesn’t define their value or your chances of success no matter how you define it. Your journey is uniquely yours. Embrace it.

Late bloomers, rise! You’re still breathing, aren’t you?

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Sure thing! I’m Loic—think ‘stoic’ but swap out the ‘st’ for an ‘l’. I’m a filmmaker, writer, comedian, and business operations and strategy manager in the entertainment industry. My base is in Los Angeles, though I’m originally from France.

I’m currently on a festival tour with my first short film, “Distressed.” It’s a poignant yet humorous road trip dramedy that explores the lives of two widows: a vivacious older Asian-American woman and a younger French gay man, still clinging to his past. Their paths converge at a grief support group, and on a whim, they hit the road together along the Pacific Coast. Through their travels, they discover friendship, healing, and the resilience to move forward. In creating “Distressed,” I took on the roles of writer, director, co-producer, and actor. Our premiere took place at Cinema Diverse, Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival.

For updates on where “Distressed” will be screened next, or if you’re interested in snippets of my standup comedy and upcoming performances, follow me on Instagram. I look forward to connecting with you!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Back in kindergarten, I snagged the role of MC in a school show. I was the school’s youngest student, setting the stage for an unexpected adventure. Everyone thought it would be cute, but reality had a different script. Stage-frozen, I still vividly recall a sixth-grader mouthing my lines to me from the front row. I knew them, yet I couldn’t speak the words. That cringe-worthy debut paradoxically set me on a path from stage fright to stand-up comedy, a voyage marked by self-discovery, self-love, and self-expression.

I’m a city boy at heart who grew up in the countryside, a gay man from a traditionally conservative backdrop. I’m grateful for my upbringing now. But my younger self, keenly aware of these differences, chose to blend into the background. I lost some of my voice, power, and self-love doing so.

Despite an inauspicious start on stage, my desires kept nudging me back to the spotlight. I started with acting, where hiding behind characters offered a semblance of safety. With each performance, the stage grew less daunting. I started using breathwork and yoga to calm my nerves, tools that served me in real life too.

Writing and filmmaking were the next steps to express myself and find my voice. It’s a very personal thing to share a movie as a writer-director. Film festivals stripped away the remaining veils—no more hiding behind a character, a camera, or a script. I had to show up as myself.

Each time you fulfill a desire that scares you, you fall in love with yourself a bit more. I started to become comfortable with who I am and with my voice. I realized that the differences that kept me in hiding for so long were my biggest strengths.

My self-care arsenal expanded to include meditation, affirmations, visualization, journaling, and EFT. Taking time for yourself each day is an act of self-love. It fosters profound self-alignment and strength. It allows me to dismantle lingering self-doubts. I now know that I’m worthy of expressing myself. I might have overcorrected in my self-care journey though. Each day, I say “I love you” to my reflection in the mirror. In case you were wondering, yes, I’m a Leo!

I started thinking about stand-up comedy next but I didn’t feel ready for it. Going through a breakup gave me the push I needed. Unconsciously, I realized that going outside my comfort zone would get me love, not from someone else, but from within. As I was feeling sad for myself, I checked a nearby comedy club website. They had only one open mic slot left for the next session. I put a jacket on top of my PJ and was on my way. My first standup was a real-life Marvelous Mrs. Maisel moment! This post-breakup spur-of-the-moment decision transformed vulnerability into a moment of pure, unapologetic joy—a breakthrough in self-love and authenticity.

I’m still evolving, continually deepening my connection with my true self, nurturing self-love, and celebrating my voice. It’s a lifelong journey that requires discipline, resilience, and commitment, yet it transforms life into such a thrilling and rewarding ride.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Before my first film festival screening, I told myself “I hope people will laugh”. Among the audience’s chorus of chuckles, one laugh stood out—a man at the back, his laughter so heartfelt it seemed he was having the time of his life. If you’re out there, know that you’ve got a fantastic sense of humor and you gifted me an unforgettable moment of joy.

I’m a firm believer in comedy’s healing touch, especially during our roughest chapters. My short film “Distressed” weaves a narrative of grief, underpinned by the belief that friendship’s laughter and love fuel resilience and renewal. Going through a divorce was one of the most challenging times of my life. I had to grieve a 13-year relationship that had run its course, and make it through the intensive healing that followed. Comedy became my ally in this healing, offering respite and lightness in this journey.

To me, embracing humor is reclaiming the power dimmed by life’s trials. I’m in awe of human resilience, and comedy, in its many forms—from a simple meme to a night of improv—has been a steadfast companion.

The notion that as an artist, my creations could offer similar solace to others is incredibly rewarding. In storytelling, I’ve discovered not just a creative outlet but a conduit for shared human experience, a testament to the enduring strength and joy we can find, even in our darkest moments.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://loicpresents.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loicpichot/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loicpichot1/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/loicpichot
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LoicPresents
• Other: Check out the trailer for Distressed here: https://youtu.be/RLki6Umvzes?si=nqxM_oxr1Qvjpb6z